The Golden Rule

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 12, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 11.

The Golden Rule absolutely forbids enforcing upon others any religious dogma, rite, or institution. It reads:—

“Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Matt. 7:12.

This does not mean—as it is generally practiced—Whatever ye would that men should do to you, do ye not so to them. It means what it says. It means that if we would not that the idolater should force his religion upon us, we should not force ours upon him. If we would not have the Roman Catholic compel us to adore the host and bow to the pope, we should not seek to compel him to do what we believe to be right. If we would not have the Jew compel us to observe the day which he holds to be the Sabbath if he were in the majority, according to the teaching of Christ we should not demand that he should observe the day that we hold as sacred. To compel or coerce any one in the matter of religious observances, institutions, or practices, is contrary to the Golden Rule, and is therefore unchristian.